Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
My throat works as I try to keep the tears at bay. God, I love them all so much.
“Okay,” I whisper. “But Blake is nothing like before.”
Ava circles the table and wraps her arms around my chest from behind, kissing the top of my head. “Love you.”
“You’re the best of us, Harps,” Easton says. “And you deserve the world.”
“I also deserve not to cry anymore. Can we have dessert now?”
“Let’s have dessert,” Greg says with a glassy smile for me.
Chapter Nineteen
BLAKE
She’s a sight for sore eyes. Christ, how does she get more beautiful every time I look at her? Those eyes get me right in the heart every single fucking time.
Harper and I have had stolen moments here and there over the past three days. I pop into her work, or she stops by mine, but those moments are fleeting because we’re both so fucking busy. But now, she’s rolling a small suitcase behind her as she walks out of Xander’s house. She grins at me as I climb the stairs to help her.
“Thanks,” she says when I take the handle from her. “Also, hold on.”
She props her hands on her hips and frowns up at me.
“Really?” She looks … I don’t even know.
“What? What did I do? I haven’t even seen you.”
She shakes her head and points at my head, where I’m wearing a hat.
“Blake, you’re in a backward baseball hat.”
“Is that a crime? If so, handcuff me, sugar.” I wink at her, and she presses her lips together so she doesn’t burst out laughing.
“It absolutely should be illegal for you to look like that. Are you trying to make my ovaries explode? Because it’s working. I’m pretty sure they’re doing a happy dance right now.”
“Your ovaries are dancing? That’s talent.”
I stow her bag in the back of the car with mine, then pull my girl into my arms and lean down to kiss her. She even smells like sugar. So sweet and tempting.
And I love that she likes what she sees when she looks at me. Because God knows that I’m obsessed with every fucking inch of this woman.
“I’ve missed you,” I murmur against her lips. “A few minutes here and there is almost torture.”
She runs her hands over my stomach, up to my chest, and that perfect smile slips over her mouth.
“I know. But we get three whole days again now, so let’s make the most of them.”
I open the door for her, and we’re on our way up the mountain to the ski resort.
“So when the fire happened, was it a total loss?” Harper asks.
“Yeah, the arsonist set fire to every commercial structure. So the main lodge, the condos, restaurants. Even the ski rental hut. The only thing he didn’t torch were the private homes. Connor had it all cleaned out and is starting fresh.”
She nods, watching the scenery as I turn off the highway onto the winding road that leads up to the ski resort.
Harper fists her hands in her lap and blows out a slow breath, making me frown over at her.
“Hey, are you okay?”
She nods, but her smile is a little shaky when she looks over at me. “Yeah, sorry. I’m nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?” I take one of her hands and kiss her fingers, then press the back of her hand against my chest. “Talk to me, baby.”
“All of your people will be there, and it’s different from book club. It’s … all of your people.” She winces. “And now we’re in this thing, and I’m nervous I’ll screw something up. What if they don’t like me? It sucks when that happens, Blake.”
“You’re my people, too,” I remind her and set her hand on my thigh so I can use both hands on the wheel as I take a sharp turn. She starts to pull away, but I snag her hand and press it back to my leg. “Stay. Also, everyone coming is kind. Sometimes my brothers are goofy, but we’re all nice people. Yes, it’s our first gathering as a couple, but I’m right here. I’m right next to you. If you feel shy or unsure, tell me, and I’ll help.”
“I don’t want to seem too needy or clingy.”
“Please, cling to me, sweetheart. That’s what I’m here for. Because I’m definitely needy as fuck.”
That makes her snort, and her smile is relaxed.
“Okay then.”
“Okay.”
Twenty minutes later, I pull up in front of the entrance where a valet waits to park my car for us.
“This really is full service,” Harper says in surprise.
“Yeah, he said it’s running at full capacity, and we get to enjoy it for a few days to help work out any early kinks.”
I step out of the car and hand the young man my fob, then walk to the back of the car to open the hatch and retrieve our bags. Another valet opens the door for Harper.